Like the title thread topic says I have a Lumina APV with a blown head gasket. It is on the back side of.the engine and leaking into cylinder 1 and causing a misfire. My question is do I have to drop the engine from underneath to be able to remove the head and replace the gasket or can everything be done without going to that extreme?

In car gets my vote, no need to remove engine.

I agree.....not much room back there, but I wouldn't drop the cradle/engine.....handle it like a 3.1/3.4 in a car.....

You can create more room, by removing the dog bones between engine and radiator support, and then pulling the engine forward(in neutral), and securing it.......also disconnecting wiper transmission linkage....

if you have the dog bone type top engine mounts from the top of the engine to the top of the radiator cover , you can remove both and pull the engine forward. you have to put the trans in neutral and maybe rock the car then once pulled forward put in park and set the brake or whatever. there is an actual tool called an "engine tilter" not to be confused with what you would use with a shop crane that makes it easier and much safer. here is a youtube video with me using such a tool